By Rev. Timothy Eberhardt
Let’s face it: In terms of our local, indeed national, demographics religion is not such a hot topic these days, at least judging by church or synagogue attendance. Some folks avoid it altogether.
In our Volunteer Chaplaincy Program at Gifford, we don’t search out or pedal religion with the patients and staff we meet, so much as we do with what we term “spirituality.”
What gives you hope and meaning in your life? What gives you a sense of awe or value? What are your fears and deepest concerns? Where do you find peace and joy in your life? Can you tell me your story?
These are the questions we ask. While a particular religion or faith tradition gives a context, a grounding of love and purpose for many of us and guides us along our life’s journey, we believe first and last that there is a deep spirituality that abides in all of us. It’s what makes us the wonderful human beings we are.
Nowhere can these questions become more pressing than in the crises, the stresses, of the hospital setting when our health is threatened or we face loss.
For over twenty years our Volunteer Chaplains (now eighteen of us) have alternated days visiting on the med-surg floor (Howell Pavilion) and the Emergency Department at Gifford and at Menig Nursing Home. Members of the program represent some ten area faith communities and persuasions. After a seven-week training course that I lead, Chaplains will seek to offer a non-sectarian presence of listening and caring as a full complement to the medical staff with whom we serve.
We believe as the late Buddhist monk Thich Nhat Hanh put it, that “Many people are alive, but don’t know the miracle of being alive.” We believe that the healing arts touch the full personhood of body, mind, spirit and that every person we meet has a story to tell.
Over and over we as Volunteer Chaplains report that we get more than we give. We hope patients and their families feel the same. Gifford can be well proud that it supports and offers this vital program.
